Like every other documentary about the Civil War since 1990, the structure of this film owes something to Ken Burns' superlative PBS special, "The Civil War." It stands on its own though, consisting mostly of reenactments and excerpts from letters and diaries, narrated efficiently by Peter Coyote.
Attention has been paid to period detail. The Illinois Highlanders wear Scottish bonnets instead of service caps.
A distinct plus is the use of animated maps that clarify the often confused battlefield situations. There's another short film around, "Animated Map of Shiloh" or something like that, that isn't nearly as useful in helping us to understand the events.
Interesting mistake were made by leaders on both sides. William "Tecumsah" Sherman refused to believe that a Confederate army was attacking his peaceful encampment until he was shot in the hand by a rebel ball.
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